Welcome to the Deepening Knowledge Project

OISE's Aboriginal Peoples Curricula Database

What is the Deepening Knowledge Project?

The Deepening Knowledge Project (DKP) seeks to infuse Indigenous peoples' histories, knowledges and pedagogies into all levels of education in Canada. The project is a part of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, which is located on the territories of Anishinaabe and Onkwehonwe peoples. Led by a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, students and staff, DKP provides information about the history and perspectives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit and Native American cultures; information related to the issues of pressing concern to Indigenous peoples and their communities today; as well as curricula for teachers to incorporate this into teaching practice.

Want to share a lesson plan or have suggestions for resources? Contact us.

Feature Resources

Calls To Action: Working through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations

The TRC Report

On 15 December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released their final report after several years of gathering stories and testimonies from Residential School survivors. Educators play an important role in continuing to share these stories and histories with students of all ages. The TRC Calls to Action outline 94 recommendations that Canadians can work towards and accomplish, including calls for education and curriculum initiatives. Those numbered 6-12 and, especially, 62-65, are specifically related to education, although many more touch on the work we do as educators. Click here for the complete Calls to Action document.

Teaching the TRC

Similar to your students, this history may be new to you. We encourage you to learn alongside your students, exploring these stories and incorporating Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, and histories into your classroom. The Deepening Knowledge website houses many resources for your learning as a teacher, educator, and leader in your community. It also provides many resources - lessons, films, books - for your classroom and your students' learning.

We encourage educators to act of co-inquirers with their students and ask questions to explore the material. With 2017 marking Canada's 150th anniversary, asking questions is a great and timely way to start this conversation. For example, Why is Canada only 150 years old when the land has had people on it for thousands of years? Who were the first peoples here? What happened to them? Are they still here?

Using our website

All of the resources on the Deepening Knowledge website are organized by grade, subject, and theme. Please browse our site using the menus at the top and to the left of this page to find lessons and links to help support your classroom learning. These resources provide ideas, lesson templates, and links to books, films, and music to bring Indigenous perspectives, knowledges, and stories into your classroom. We encourage you to use them with other resources and determine what is appropriate for your class.

Check out Teaching about Residential Schools featuring Sarah Foster, OISE teacher candidate and her students from her practicum placement. More information on the video is available in our Infusing Aboriginal content and perspectives section.